Using the hardware with a current kernel

The current 2.6.21 kernel does not know the cs5530 interrupt router. So it is impossible to let the kernel itself setup PCI's interrupt routing. Even if you provide the kernel with a valid interrupt routing table (PIRQ). No interrupts will work as the interrupt routing registers are still left at their reset values.
The following small patch solves this issue (it was rejected in mainline as it breaks various standard BIOS
based Geode system, as they where shipped with wrong PIRQ tables):

How to bring LinuxBIOS in

I was not successfull to boot anything other than the software in the DOC to get some information about this board. It seems a very special BIOS as it only outputs "booting os" and nothing else. Then the splash screen comes up and the graphical environment starts.
One or two times I was successfull to run an update of this firmware. Because the update process fails (the server it tries to connect to doesn't answer anymore), the console comes up. That's why I know they run a 2.4 kernel with an XFree86 3.x. Their software needs about one and a half minute to boot up and supports graphical resolutions upt to XGA@64k colours and SXGA@256 colours.

With my own implementation (LinuxBIOSv2, Linux 2.6.2x kernel, Xorg 7.2) I boot this machine in about 10 seconds, then the xdm dialogue occures (its a terminal, not a workstation) and supports also SXGA@64k colours.

As is it hard to get a console on this system with the original software, I found no way to reprogram the boot flash in a running system. But it is very easy to disassemble the flash memory. Only 3 screws to unscrew at the reverse.

Pull the front panel to one side, the casing to the other. Ready. You now have access to all relevant parts.

To disassemble the PLCC32 boot flash rom you need something with a hook. I'm using my SMD tweezer. Did I mentioned that you will need something to burn your flash?